The Aygo is an inexpensive car manufactured by Toyota and is mechanically identical to Citroen’s C1 and Peugeot’s 107. The car’s were manufactured on the same production line. The good news is that the Aygo is an exciting little car.
The Aygo shouldn’t have any trouble competing in the city car market. This sector is full of competition, like the VW Lupo, Fiat Panda, Daihatsu Charade and Ford Ka. Toyota’s move to team up with Peugeot Citroen to develop the inexpensive, cheerful new platform was a smart move. The impressive little Toyota has been built and designed to keep costs down, yet it feels well put together and doesn’t feel cheap. The car’s cabin has some cheap plastics, but the car still has a nice feel to it. The Aygo provides dependable transportation without sacrificing style at an affordable price. Toyota is targeting younger buyers with the body style and low purchase price. The car also comes with low insurance premiums that will certainly be an appealing factor for younger buyers. The car can also provide a lot of practical benefits as a second car to a family. The Aygo delivers an excellent ride around town, its tight turning circle, and small size come in very handy while navigating crowded city streets. Rear passenger space is limited and the boot is small but able to accommodate a few shopping bags. Five-door models are more practical.
Practicality
The Aygo isn’t the most inexpensive car as far as asking prices go but the Aygo has the lowest insurance group, great fuel economy, and Toyota reliability. Although it may seem expensive to buy, it will be a wise investment due to it’s extremely low running and servicing charges. The cabin is spacious enough. The front seat occupants will enjoy plenty of legroom and will have sufficeint headroom. Move to the rear and it is a different story. Legroom is limited, and headroom is sufficent but not as plentiful as in the front. The boot won’t hold much but then again, the engine doesn’t have the power to carry much more than just the passengers. The Aygo is limited side when it comes to the frills. The guages are clear and concise. They are logically placed, making it unneccessary for the driver to search for them. The switches are of extremely low quality however and must be operated with care in fear of breaking them. The cabin is comfortable, so long as you sit in the front. The seats are supportive and will make what might be an uncomfortable ride, bearable. The suspension delivers a decent amount of driver feedback while providing occupants a smooth ride. Gaining access to the cabin is simple if you are climbing into the front seats. The rear seats lack legroom which makes it a bit difficult to get into, even if the wide door aperture provides for unrestricted access. The boot is slightly tricky to get into. With the glass being the only moving portion being the glass, loading large or heavy items more difficult. Parking is easy as all-around visibility is good. Speed sensitive powersteering ensures that steering remains light and precise. Reverse parking is easy due to the lack of a protrusive boot.
Life Style
The Aygo has a lot of appeal and can be very fun to drive. The 1.0 petrol engine is more responsive than the diesel and seems to propell the Aygo along better. The car can deliver a swift ride when driven by an experienced driver. The chassis system is excellent. The Aygo is way too small to be considered as a primary family vehicle. It could easily be used as a second vehicle for a family, or as a commuter car. Otherwise, families should look elsewhere for a more suitable vehicle. This would be an excellent first car for those who could afford it. The asking price is low, and the company offers a three-year warranty. The Aygo’s stylish looks and practicality make it an ideal first car. The car should also enjoy decent resale values as well. Toyota attention to detail and build quality is evident in the Aygo. The Aygo should have no problem appealing to the younger generation of buyers, in fact, it will probably appeal to a fair number of older buyers as well. The car seems well made and durable.
Security and Safety
The car comes equipped with remote central locking (not included on entry-level models), a VIN, and the Tom Tom navigation. This is a pretty impressive level of security for a budget buy. Driver and passenger airbags come standard on all models. Aygo + and Sport models gain additional front side airbags. All models get ABS with EBD, a valuable safety enhancing system.
The Finishing Touches
The car’s standard audio system comes with a radio CD player. The system comes with a handy socket allowing an MP3 player to be connected. Aygo + models have a more powerful stereo unit with additional rear speakers and front tweeters. The car’s exterior colours are limited to red as standard with optional metallic blue or silver. Red seems to fit the car’s cute and quirky personality best, but all of the colours are very appealing.
Summary
Because the Aygo has so much in common with the C1 and 107 the car may have some difficulty competing with these cars. Toyota offers a lot in the way of reliability and decent warranties, so buyers may decide that’s enough reason to go with the Aygo.
